1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV Problems
- Complaints
- 35filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV. The part named most often is visibility, with 9 complaints (26% of the total), followed by electrical system (5) and engine cooling (4). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 10 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system5 14%
- Engine cooling4 11%
- Seats4 11%
- Brakes3 8.6%
- Body and structure3 8.6%
- Equipment2 5.7%
- Steering2 5.7%
- Fuel system1 2.9%
Also reported: Seat belts (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).
Example complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Experienced intermittent of power steering, lost steering control of the vehicle. Replaced rack and pinion. The vehicelk rack and pinion faield prior to receiving the recall notice. The driver's side power window motor failed, the alternator, air conditioning and windshield wiper assembly also failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10099926, filed 2004-11Electrical system: “My 1996 lumina mini van caught on fire at the rear right wheel well because of a wiring short. Luckily my grandchildren were in the store when they came out the fire department was putting the fire out. Both the side and back doors could not open because the power lock module had melted. If anyone would have been inside they would not been able to get out of the vehicle safely.”
NHTSA complaint #10043013, filed 2003-10, 130,000 milesEngine cooling: “While driving, the engine will cut out, then run smooth again, causing the car to jerk. Several times the engine would die. The car would start back up, when you put into gear and push the gas, the engine would cut out, the car would jerk as the engine cut out and then reengage, but eventually the engine would die. We sent to our local repair shop, he replaced the spark plugs, minor tune, replace air filter, check fuel pump - ok, and replace fuel filter. Car ran fine for three days and then repeated the same problem. Took back into shop, replaced ignition switch and coils. …”
NHTSA complaint #10062492, filed 2004-03, 109,000 milesSeats: “On the driver's seat a weld snapped and the drivers seat is no longer stable. The car can be driven but we were told it was not under warranty any longer due to the mileage. We feel that this is a manufacturers defect and it should be corrected by the company. I intend to send a letter to the company also.”
NHTSA complaint #709522, filed 1999-08Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 88,320 and 126,200 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumina APV · sedan | not rated | 5 / 3 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
- 02V286000Nov 4, 2002Steering › Rack and pinionCovers: Chevrolet Lumina APV 1996, Cavalier 1996–1998, Pontiac Sunfire 1996–1998 +4 more
Certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between january 1, 1996 and october 31…
Recall details for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 10 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10232287Feb 21, 2023Equipment. This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022Fuel system, Brakes. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 10171318Jan 31, 2020Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 10170494Dec 2, 2019Equipment, Electrical system. This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
- 10168979Nov 22, 2019Equipment. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code…
- 10165876Sep 5, 2019Equipment. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code…
- 10141381May 31, 2018Equipment. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017Fuel system, Tires, Equipment, Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 10113443Feb 22, 2017Electrical system. This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester…
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Other model years of the Chevrolet Lumina APV
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 35 | 100,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 104 | 114,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 65 | 173,500 | 4 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 45 | 96,590 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 76 | 182,240 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 47 | 155,500 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 99 | 134,676 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Chevrolet Lumina APV model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV have?
NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV is reported most often?
Visibility is named most often, in 9 complaints (26% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.
Has the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,000 miles and the middle half falls between 88,320 and 126,200 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.